Figure 52.6
-Treehoppers a type of insect) produce honeydew, which ants use for food. Treehoppers have a major predator, the jumping spider. Researchers hypothesized that the ants would protect the treehoppers from the spiders. In an experiment, researchers followed study plots with ants removed from the system and compared them to a control plot. In the figure above, what can you conclude?
A) Ants do somehow protect the treehoppers from spiders.
B) Ants reduce the numbers of treehoppers.
C) No specific conclusions can be drawn from this figure.
D) Ants do not protect the treehoppers from spiders.

Question

Figure 52.6
-Treehoppers a type of insect) produce honeydew, which ants use for food. Treehoppers have a major predator, the jumping spider. Researchers hypothesized that the ants would protect the treehoppers from the spiders. In an experiment, researchers followed study plots with ants removed from the system and compared them to a control plot. In the figure above, what can you conclude?
A) Ants do somehow protect the treehoppers from spiders. 
B) Ants reduce the numbers of treehoppers. 
C) No specific conclusions can be drawn from this figure. 
D) Ants do not protect the treehoppers from spiders.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The figure shows that in the control plot, where ants are present, there are fewer spider attacks on the treehoppers compared to the plot where ants were removed. This suggests that the presence of ants does somehow protect the treehoppers from spiders.

Figure 52.6 -Treehoppers a Type of Insect) Produce Honeydew, Which Ants Use